Apparatus for distilling petroleum.



0. R, EWING. APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING PETROLEUM.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 25, 1911. Patented Jan. 13, 1914. 1

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C. R. EWING.

APBARATUS FOR DISTILLING PETROLEUM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1911.

1,083,998. E Patentd-Jan. 13, 1914.

attain;

.- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

dHARLES R. EWING, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD OII' COMPANY, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR IDKS'I'ILLING PETROLEUM.

' tion.

This invention "relates more particularly to apparatus follwillbllllllllg petroleum, but

Apart. of it at least elm be used (with advantage, il1 is believed, over the prior state of the art) in apparatus for distilling other liquids, and possibly in relations other than the distillation of liquids, as, for examplc, in bringing liquids and gases into contact with each other without distillation.

Each of the improvements composing the invention is intended to be secured for all the uses to which it can be applied, with or without.inodification.

In distilling petroleum (as well as other liquids) use has heretofore been made of a vapor condensing tower so constructed that descending condensate can be conveyed away separately or can be allowed to pass on in i the tower, a fiat bottomed stationary interceptin chamber with one or more overflows 'or allowing the condensate to pass on,

after filling; the chamber and also a valved pipe for withdrawing the condensate from the chamber. A quantity of condensate corresponding with the horn zontal area and depth of the chamber to the overflow level is thus detained in the chamher when said pipe is closed; with the result that the condensate which passes on is of somewh'lt. different composition from that which is received from above. Further, when said stationary chamber is placed below a system of tubes or of other devices arranged for distributing the condensate over the horizontal area of the tower, it unites the condensate dripping from all the tubes or other devices and so destroys the previous distribution of it. Again the flat bottom of the chamber exposes a surface to the yapors which is limited in area by the cross section of the tower and, is of a character to have little effect in commingling the vapors and the condensate. i

In accordance with the present invention, the tower is provided with an interccpter which is movable and'is so" disposed that in being provided Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 25, 1911. Serial No. 682,406.

system of or shutters may form, a

Patented Jan. '13, 1914.

be) with little or no detention. When such movable interceptor is employed below a condensing tubes or of other devices arranged for distribution ofthe descending condensate, as aforesaid, it can be, and best would be, priate position of the interceptor) to a low the condensate to pass on with little or no interference with its distribution.

The interceptor is best composed of a number of movable slats or shutters, which in one position allow the descending condensate to fall between them and in another position conduct. such condensate to a pipe for with-, drawing the same. Such slats or shutters, when open, may, and naturally would, form a grating which brings about a more intimate mingling of the con'densate and the vapors; and they can be, and best would be, so arranged that, when closed, they constitute an inclined partition or partitions. Such partition or artitions act as a condensing means for'tlie vapors; and, owing to their inclined position, the surface area'of them may (and, indeed, would naturally) exceed the cross section of the tower. It is further to be observed grating; that an inclined partition may be constituted otherwise than from slats or shutters, and that an interceptor within the limits of the invention may consist of slats or shutters which are stationary or of an inclined partition or partitions in general, irrespective of the use.

of slats or shutters to compose the same.

While, the interceptor is primarily intend ed to be placed between a higher and lower part of a towcr, it could within the limits of the invention be placed at the bottom of a. tower. I?

Heretofore towers have with heating means for torn'iing vapors to he treated (partially condensed, for example) in said which the liquids to yield said vapors are supplied to evaporators or stills without passing through the towers, and also under arrangements in which such liquids are supplied to the towers themselves. The towers of the present invention are more particuadapted (in the up robeen combined towers under arrangements in i for drawing oil condensate t lorly intended to be usccl in uriuugeuierts oil the former lcilul; but their use othcr'si sc is not necessarily citcludccl.

In the uccop'ipanyiug drawings: Figure l a plan VlBW or a portion ol distilling oppro rutus in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a View of the some partly in elevation and partly in'section; Figs. loud l are poo tial views in central vertical section, of tower in accordance with the invention, the sections being in planes at right angles to each other; and Fig. 5 is a partial View of said tower in olzu The tower siown cousists.,' first, of chain her (1 provided With a heat retaiitiiug jacket I) thereon and bullies c in tile form oi cobble stones therein; curl, second, oi arsysten'l olt' tubes (I lIlClOSQl in ft casin 6 which has sir inlets f curl tloors g there'l'or out the bottom zuul is open at the top. The tubes at couuoct at top with the annular hcutler it, and are set the bottom in the tube sheet constituting the top of chamber (t. The flow of Utll over the tubes ol ruul out tl'irough. the header it carries off the hoot from the vapors which pass, through the tubes, the flow of air being regulated by opening and closing the doors p; more. or and it the [lOOl'S g shoultl be closed so completely as to prevent the llow oi sir, hurt could be conducted sway through the ozsiug' c; it this should be motel; is preferred. The ends 01 the tubes of are so rlis ibutecl that eoiuleusute falling from them, it not interccptetl, would tell at different places over the top of the system of bullies c. \Vheo cobble stones are used as the bullies, they would best be from about tour to eight inches in diameter. The rest on the grate it.

At 6 is a manhole.

its shown, the heated Well joclteterl still in has it vapor pipe it which leads to the tower cal; and a liquid pipe p brunchiug ll'Olll the pipe 2 leads from the tower to the still m. .lu pipe p is a Valve 51.

At 1 is the charging line for supplying petroleum to the still.

At 8 is a "valve for letting on and shutting oil the supply.

At t is a readily removable closure for the (End of the T coupling '11,, forming part of the pipe r, such closure comprising a yoke and clumping screw uutl being usctl to enable pipe 7' to be cleaned At w is a valve pipe for service in steam log out the still at the curl of ouch run.

At m is one of a number of columns usocl to support the still by means of logs w on the latter.

At y is a manhole.

The run hotel; 7) one of u plurality of pipes branching trom the pipe oiul lowl ing from the t Wei (rt/l The pi l cooling pipe .2

or in taut: ll, when ml o t to is l "l e pipe 5 iu lico ed with its valve 6 l lines can be usecl for the same purpose (it tlesiredlwheu the valve l is closed. The pipe 7, with its valve 8, is for drawing oll condensate without contlucting it throug l'l the water in tank 3. It is used when the condensate will not how at the temperature of the water. looliug water is supplied by pipe 9 to took it ater overflows therelronii by pipe 10, At 11 s an uir cooled tubular coiuleuser com uectctl at the bottom by vapor pipe 12 with the heruler it of tower out,

At 13 the beginning of a water mus condenser (consisting oil it pipe. immersed in the "Water of tonic 3 curl} connected. by

rupor pip lat with the top of condenser 11.

FY0111 the bottom of condenser 11. it tilll't'." otl pipe 15 coiulucts the mutleuscte through the lltllltll oil? tuulr ll for cooling when the mire us is open until the r re l? in pipe 18 is close cl; This pipe 18 ii'iteroouueots the p les outl p autl fll'lttb :l the coiulcusste ti on cojotlcusor ll to be ruu buclt into the m, uheu desired. l W

* .llic liquid interceptor :iu tower so! is constitutecl as shown by 'i'luh'iber of uuivuble slots or shutters 2U it, 4t out]. which in the posit'ou shown conduct :cucliug condensate by Way Dill pipe 2:3 having :31, Volvo and sewing to convey ccuuleusute (it only be to soy desired piece, but us shown} to the draw oil 9%, ob really referred to.

[is ssowu, truuuious shutter 20 rest in notches in. the frames Erich frame top lug which is secured to the gutt 21, which pus .355 through the wulls cu ,l umber u; untl is securccl by llouges to the metal cover oil schet "the upright ibutie'etl plate closes the gutter ill at that curl The homes ll ere set curly from the we so us'to allow vapors to P2 frames.

The shutters, when closed, lap at their edges (see Fl (L), the lower portion of such higher tilting over the upper edge of each lower shutter; and on, What in closed position the uutler sitle of such shutter .ueur'its lower edge there is o contiuw ous. bend or projection 30 for preventing condensate which may form on the under sitlo of the shutter from flowin onto the cl'lllll'GI' next below it. When tile conden sate rout-hos such at head it drips oil. The flanges 31. on the frames cover the upper edges of the uppermost shutters in their closecl positions. Oueuch shutter at each eotl of it is rirlgc or hood 3% to keep liquid 'l of chamber a; $25 up tuiouucl the e 9e "he gutter ill to the till on each slot or iii 1 ii {clockwise and the left hand section being (naturaD fraction of the oil distils over befl here.

. sibly in-other relations, it is more particuyielding) fraction the vapors contain gradnoaaeae. p p

To change the position'of the intercepter the shutters are revolved on their trunnions, bestuutil they stand vertical, the right hand section (as seen in Fig. 4} being moved moved counter clockwise. The rods 33 are each of them jointed to arms 34 on the shutters of its section; and the two lowermost shutters are interconnected by a rod 35 i'ointed to arms 36 fast on trunnions of suit el'mtters. A shaft 37 provided with an opernting handle wand passing through a stui'iiu box 39 is coupledto a trunnion of- 0m: of tiese shutters.

Vapors enter the tower by the pipe 11, pass through the bullies c and then through the tubes d. Condensa'ie formed in these tubes in the position shown of the movable interceptor 20 is conducted by way of the gutter 21 to the pipe 22; which conveys it to the desired place (to draw oil 2 asshown). Condensate'would also collect on the under surfaces of sluts or shutters '20 ai1d, would drop oil onto the battles cl By turning the handle 38 until the shutters 20 are vertical, the condensate from tubes d can pass to the bullies a. substantially without. detention,-

uiid also without interference withithe disis then-further carrie tributionof the condensate due, to the am.v rangement .of the tubes'd. A covefover the trough '21 would prevent an condensate fallin irect-ly into it; if suc protection shoul be desired. The vapors in passing through the grating composed. of theiopn slats or shutters are. thereby commingled' with the descending condensate; as they are also in passing over and between the baflles c.

\Vhile the new or im roved tower can be used in various disti lations, and poslarly designe'd for use in distilling the heavy end of crude petroleum. lVhen crude pe- -troleum is distilled under atmospheric pressure without introduction of aeriformfluld intothe liquid oil and with gmdual'elevation of the temperature of said oil, a certainfore a temperature is attained at whichdecomposition commences on a considerable scale. A further. (intermediate fraction then distils over before the. distillation of Toward the close of the. distillation of the lubricant (or lubricant .and ,wax

'ually increasing quantities of gummy or asphaltic matters; until finally, they are. redominantly (if not wholly) comp. of such matters," the contents of the still at this time havin been reduced nearly to the condition of e, In efiect-ing such a comof the-tower, until after the intcrmeciate fraction hgsnbeem distilled; say until the Elm ensate' leaving the chamber a by pipe .2

has wviscosity as high as 65 seconds at F. by' Saybo ts Universal Viscosimeter or exhibits a cloud at a temperature as high us 50 F. (whichever characteristic first appears); which point may be taken as about the beginning of distillation of the lubricant (or lubricant and wax yielding) 1 fraction of the crude petroleum. To ascerv tain this point a s imen of the condensnte can be drawn of! t ough the pi e2. During this part/of the run a'llthe con ensate from the tower ad returns to the still m through the pipe 1). The valve 4%. can now be opened "and the valve ggclosed; so that all the con-. 'tlensate from t e tower ad is dratvnofi as distillate through the pipe 2. Distillation r on until the con-- densate from pipe 2 begins;(or until. just 95 before it begins) to have an objectionablecontent of gummy or asphaltic mattersand yvonld,'.therefore,-- be-"diflicult to ress i'ior paraffin wax if from a. wax yie din pe troleuin) or to alkali treatment i from a petroleum with an asphaltic base). At this time themter cepter 20 'would'best be chan ed into the ition showh in Figs. 3,,4an' 5; in which.

1t conducts condensate from the tubes d to 'the pipe 22 by way of the gutter 31. At 'the same time (or 'just previously) the valves'23 and q should be opened and the valve 4 closed. Condensate separatedfrom the vapors below the intercepter, which should contain the gummy or asphaltic 'mat' ters, would be returnedto the still mthrough l the pipe [1. Distillation in this we -may .well be continued as long as the con ensatc from tubes (I, collected through draw'ofifli is satisfactory. When it becomes unset-1&3 factory. the intercepter 20 may well-"be changed into position to allow the condensate from tubes dto pass into, the lower part of the tower, and either the valve 4 or 6 the valve 8 be opened, the valves 23 and being closed. The valve 8 would be-opene and thepipe i closed whenever the condensate is too pasty to flow at the temperature of the pipe 2. Distillation may then be continued until the contents of the-still are nearly or quite in the condition of dry coke; I

During the entire run condensate formed in condenser 11 can be drawn oil as distillate un given'the sulfuric aci and 10 "through the pipe 15; or if it should beun satisfactor at any tire it can be run back to the stil m through the pipes 18 and p, vave'lG being closed and valve 17 opened.

5 The condensate produced in pipe 13 can be drawn off as distillate at the tail end of said pipe atall times during the run. The still m isthen steamed out, and when cool -is cleaned preparatory toa new run.

0 While it has been mentioned that the distillation with the valve 9 open is continued until;- the condensate from chamberja has a specified viscosity or "exhibits a cloud "at a specified temperature, it will be understood 15 that such' distillation can be continued longer or be arrested sooner, if so desired, and that other details canbe varied in car- :rying-outathe described mode of using the w-apparatus shown, This'modeis, of course,

not neces'sarily the, onl one in which the zapparatus can-be emp oyed, The pipe 5, with valve 6, w0uld -be used in case, it

i should gbefdsircd to draw 0a condensate f'simultan'eo'usly fro'rn the'tubes 'd by we of zsithe intercepter '20 andpipe 22-a1id 'roin pipe-75 a Y shown the v vapors pass first through *th lowier and then throughth'e upper part it otherwise thanthrougli'the' ofi'thetoi'ver; but itfdeesnotxfollow that the --int'ereepler of thp're'sent invention would wa pors sopas.

th'eg utter would be 'of small ca teiS-i 'Q'QHn connehtioni wfithg gutter 21 aifd valved-pipe 22 wduld-servefwith said slats v or; shutters stationary in the (position shown, for-withdrawing the'f-descen' i A ng condensate orato -allowing tto pass on to thg l 4e part ef theftowrf according as the 'valve zl slionld be 'open or closed The condensate fallingfon' sma mercepmr would fill and would ha l'ean advantage over the intercepting' charnbe'r heretofore employed, in that acity as coni'pared -ivith'such" -prior chain or, and als'o'l n account offthe'greater area of the i'rlclin'cd partitions composed of said slats or shutters over "the bottom of such prior l, chamberl-=' 'llicse advantages would result evrffr -i f the*partitionsj for directing the condonsateto the gutter 21 -were not 'formed of slats or shutters; and cachiiofthe admin-- tagcs -mentioned could. be secured without. the other of them. It is evident "furtl lcr' that the lats or shutters shown could be opened triaei-tam'xterit withoutceasing to conto ductdescending"condensate tothe gutter 21 andthafiin' this-position the would form a grating fo'r comniin'gling" the "vapors and "I" olaim' "a's my inventionon discovery tower having (1) a vapor inlet bejoutlet above, (4) a liquid-outlet interme low," (9) a liquid outlet below, .outlct above, (4) a;liquid ,ou-tlct-interme-f low, (2) a liquid outlet below, (3) a vapor 'outlet above, (4) a liquid outlet intermediate said va or inlet and the first mentioned tionalcondensing means intermediate said intercepter and said vapor outlet, and (7). means for bringing liquid and vapo'rs into contact with each other intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid out-. let on the one hand and sai intercep'ter, on

the other, substantially asde'scribedi 2. A tower having (1 .ja vapor inlet be-' low, (2) a liquid outlet low, (3) a vapor outlet above, (4) a liquidgutlet intermediate said vapor inlet and the rst mentioned'liq,

uid outlet on 'the one" hand. and 'sa idvapor outleton the other,-"(5) a tilting interceptor which in one position conveyskdescending 'liquid tosaid intermediate outlet and ,in'

another-position leaves the'interior of the tower approximately clear :fo'rliquid to drop past said intercepter and in both positions allows vapors to ntove upward pastsai d interce pt er, (6)- reflux fractional condensing means intermediate said intercc ter; and said vapor outlet, and (7) mc'ans; or bringing liquid and vapors into contact with each other intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid outlet on theonehandand said intercept'er on the other, substantially as described.

.3. A tower, having (1- a vapor .inlet be-f low, (2) a liquid-outlet below, (8) a-va aorate said vapor inlet a nd the firstmentioried liquid outlet on thel 'one hand andsaid'vapor outlet on the other, .(5) a .n ovtibleintercep tor which in oneposition'fcomcys descending liquid to said hit crrfiediatc outlet and in another position leaves tlie interior" .of the towcrapproximately 5512?.- or li uidto drop'past s'aid interoepter a: d' in hot posi-" 'tions allows vapors to moye upwardepast tu'heswith their lowerendsdistributed (Wei;-

a tube sheet- ,;i iit-'ermediat ej said "Lintercepte'rj and said vaporoutlety and (7) means for bringing llquid and vapors-intocontactgwith each other intermediate said vapor/inlet j and first mentioned liquid outlet :on the one hand and said interccpteron the other, sub stantiallvas described. -v '4. A owerhaving (1) 1a vapor inlet beo diate said vaporinletand the-firemen:

position to convey descending liquid to said Intermediate outlet and in another position to allow the liquid to descend between said slats or shutters and in both positions to allow vapors to move upward past said interceptor, (G) reflux condensing means intermediate said intercepter and said vapor outlet, and (7) means for bringing liquid and vapors into contact with each other intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid outlet on 'the one hand and said interceptor on the other, substantially as described.

5. A distilling apparatus, comprising heating means, and a tower arranged for the treatment therein of vapors formed by said means and having (1) a vapor inlet below, (2) a liquid outletbelow, (3) a va? por outlet above, (4) a liquid outletinte'rmediate said vapor inlet and the first mentioned liquidfoutlet on the onehand and said vapor outlet on the other, (5 a mov p, able intercepterwhichin one position conveys descending liquid to said intermediate outlet and in another position leaves the interior of'the tower approximately clear for Y liquid to drop PfiSlS'Stlld. interceptor and in I both positions allows vapors to move upward pastsaid intercepter, (6) reflux fractional condensing means mte'rmediate' said interceptor and said vapor-outlet, and (7') means for bringing liquid and vapors into contactwith each other intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid outlet on the one hand and sad'intercepter on the other, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the body of a tower, of frames supported in,said tower,

slats or shutters journaled in said frames,

and means for conducting away liquid'intereepted hv-said slats or shutters, substantially as described.

3 7. A tower having (1) a vapor inlet below, (2) a liquid outlet below, (3) ava'por out-let above, (4) a liquid outlet intermediate said vapor inlet and the first mentioned liquid outlet on the one hand and said vapor outlet on the other, (5) inclined partitions for intercepting descending liquid in termediate the second mentioned liquid outlet and said vapor outlet, (6) a gutter con- .nected with the second mentioned liquid outlet and provided with an overflow and arranged to receive liquid intercepted bysaid partitions, (7) reflux condensing means intermediate said inclined partitions and said vapor outlet, and (8) means for bring ing liqpid and vapors into contact with outlet above, (4) a liquid outlet i'ntermediate said vapor inlet and he first mentioned liquid out-let on the one hand and said vapor outlet on the other, (5) inclined partitions for intercepting descending liquid arranged for condensate forming on their undersur faces to drop otl'without uniting with the intercepted liquid and located intermediate the second mentioned liquid outlet and said vapor outlet, (6) a gutter connected with the second mentioned liquid outlet andpro vided with an overflow and arranged to neceive liquid interce' ted by said, partitions while allowing con ensatefrom the under surfaces of said partitions to drop p'ast siid gutter, (7) reflux condensing means intermediate said inclined partitions and said vapor outlet, and (8) means for bringing liquid and vapors into contact with each 0t er intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid outlet on the one handand said gutter on-the other, substantially as described.

9 A distilling apparatus, comprising 'let below, (2) a liquid outlet below, (3) a "apor out-let above, (4) a liquid outlet intermediate said vapor inlet and the-first mentioned liquid outlet on the one hand and said vapor outlet on the other, (5) inclined partitions for intercepting descending liquid intermediate the second mentioned liquid out-let and said vapor outlet, (6) a gutter connected with the second mentioned li uid outlet and provided with an overflow and arranged to receive liquid intercepted by said partitions, (7) reflux condensing means intermediate said inclined partitions and said vapor outlet, and (8) means for bringing liquid and vapors into contact with each other intermediate said vapor inlet and first mentioned liquid outlet on the one hand and said gutter on the other, substantially as described.

In test imony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES R. EWING. \Vitnesses Ilowann D. ADAMs,

Tnonus Goonwnmm ios 

